Memory card device, video game apparatus, and program providing medium

ABSTRACT

A memory card device comprises an input unit such as button, etc., for operating stored program, a display unit for displaying information in accordance with the program, a control unit such as a microcomputer, having a program memory section for storing the program, a connector connecting to an equipment body such as a video game apparatus, and a non-volatile memory as a data storage. Data such as program or game result, etc. transferred from the video game apparatus body to the memory card device may be written into the non-volatile memory through the control unit. The memory card device is capable of executing a down-loaded program from the equipment body. Game result in the memory card device can be loaded into the equipment body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a memory card device used as an auxiliarymemory unit of information equipment, a video game apparatus having afunction to store game data, etc. into an auxiliary memory unit, and aprogram providing medium.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional memory card used in the state inserted into informationequipment, etc. is caused to be of the configuration comprisinginterface for connecting to the body of information equipment andnon-volatile memory element for storing data.

FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the main part of such aconventional memory card. This conventional memory card 80 comprises acontrol unit 81 for controlling its operation, a connector 82 forconnecting to terminal provided within slot of information equipment,etc., and a non-volatile memory 86 for storing data, wherein theconnector 82 and the non-volatile memory 86 are connected to the controlunit 81.

The control unit 81 is constituted by using, e.g., microcomputer.Moreover, as non-volatile memory 86, flash memory, e.g., EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. is used.Moreover, there are also instances where, for connection interface toinformation equipment, etc., microcomputer is used as control unit forinterpreting protocol.

FIG. 1B shows control item in the control unit 81 of the conventionalmemory card 80.

As stated above, the conventional memory card comprises body connectioninterface for connecting to body of information equipment, etc. andmemory interface for carrying out input/output of data with respect tonon-volatile memory.

Moreover, conventional video game apparatus as in the home TV gameapparatus has a function to store game data, etc. into the auxiliarymemory unit. The above-described memory card is used also as auxiliarymemory unit of such video game apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional video game apparatus usingmemory card as auxiliary memory unit. A body 2 of this conventionalvideo game apparatus (unit) 11 is accommodated within substantiallysquare casing, and is composed of a disc mounting portion 3 onto whichoptical disc which is recording medium on which application program ofthe video game is recorded is loaded at the central portion thereof, areset switch 4 for arbitrarily resetting game, a power switch 5, a discoperation switch 6 for operating loading of the optical disc, and, e.g.,two slot portions 7A, 7B.

Memory card 80 used as the auxiliary memory unit is inserted withrespect to these slot portions 7A, 7B, and, e.g., result, etc. of gameexecuted on video game unit 11 is sent from the control unit (CPU) 19and is written into the non-volatile memory 86. In this case, pluraloperation units (controllers) (not shown) are also connected to the slotportions 7A, 7B so that plural users can carry out waging war game, etc.at the same time.

As described above, the conventional memory card only comprises a bodyconnection interface for connecting to body of information equipment,etc. and memory interface for carrying out input/output of data withrespect to the non-volatile memory. Namely, the conventional memory cardonly has a function as merely auxiliary memory unit, and data stored inthe non-volatile memory could not be utilized by memory card alone.

In addition, the conventional video game apparatus can operateapplication program only on the game apparatus body, and game result,etc. can be stored into memory card device used as the auxiliary memoryunit. For this reason, game result, etc. stored in the memory card couldnot be effectively reflected for game executed at times subsequentthereto.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems,and its object is to provide a memory card device which can not onlysimply store data, but also down loads application program toindependently execute it, or to carry out cooperative operation whilecarrying out transmission/reception of its execution result between thememory card device and other information equipment.

Moreover, in order to solve problems as described above, another objectof this invention is to provide a video game apparatus capable ofdown-loading application program of video game into memory card used asthe auxiliary memory unit from the body of video game unit, or takingthereinto result of game independently executed on its memory card tocarry out cooperative operation to constitute game executed at timessubsequent thereto, etc., and a program providing medium for supplyingapplication program.

Namely, a memory card device according to this invention comprises amemory for storing data and an interface connecting to informationequipment, and functions as auxiliary memory unit of connectedinformation equipment, the device comprising a program storage memoryfor storing program, a control unit for controlling execution of theprogram, a display unit for displaying information in accordance withthe program to be executed, an operation input unit for operating theprogram, and a power supply unit for supplying power utilized forexecuting the program.

Moreover, a video game apparatus according to this invention is directedto a video game apparatus having a function to store game data obtainedby executing game into an auxiliary memory unit, the apparatuscomprising a program providing unit for supplying application program, acommunication control unit connected to a main bus to which a centralprocessing unit of the video game apparatus body is connected, and aslot connected to the main bus through the communication control unitand adapted so that the auxiliary memory unit is detachably connected,wherein the central processing unit has a control function to down-loadapplication program from the program providing unit with respect to theauxiliary memory unit through the communication control unit.

Further, a video game apparatus according to this invention is directedto a video game apparatus having a function to store game data obtainedby executing game with respect to an auxiliary memory unit, theapparatus comprising a program providing unit for supplying applicationprogram, a communication control unit connected to a main bus to which acentral processing unit of the video game apparatus body is connected,and a common slot connected to the main bus through the communicationcontrol unit and adapted so that the auxiliary memory unit and a memorycard unit are detachably connected, the auxiliary memory unit having anon-volatile memory for storing game data obtained by executing game bythe video game apparatus body, the memory card device including aprogram memory for storing the down-loaded application program, and acontrol unit for executing the down-loaded application programindependently of the video game.

Further, a memory card device according to this invention is directed toa memory card device having an interface connectable to informationequipment, the memory card device comprising a program storage memoryfor storing program, a control unit for controlling execution of theprogram, a display unit for displaying information in accordance withthe executed program, an operation input unit for operating the program,and a power supply unit for supplying power utilized for executing theprogram, wherein the program is down loaded into the program memorythrough an interface from the connected information equipment, andprogram down-loaded into the auxiliary memory unit and program executedin the information equipment body are application programs differentfrom each other.

Further, a program providing medium according to this invention isdirected to a providing medium for providing application program withrespect to a video game apparatus (unit), wherein at least two differentapplication programs are recorded with respect to the providing medium,and one of the at least two different application programs isapplication program executed in the video game unit and the other one isapplication program executed in memory card unit connected to the videogame unit.

In accordance with this invention, there can be provided a video gameapparatus having a function to down-load application program of videogame with respect to a memory card device (unit) capable ofindependently executing program of down-loaded application software orcapable of carrying out cooperative operation while carrying outtransmission/reception of its execution result between the memory cardunit and other information equipment, and memory card unit used asauxiliary memory unit, or to take thereinto result of game independentlyexecuted on its memory card unit to carry out cooperative operation toconstitute games executed at times subsequent thereto, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B are views showing an example of the configuration of themain part of a conventional memory card device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a conventional video gameapparatus in which memory card is used as auxiliary memory unit.

FIG. 3 is a view showing appearance of a video game apparatus accordingto this invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the state of slot portion of the video gameapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of more practicalconfiguration of the main part of a video game apparatus of theembodiment according to this invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C are views showing appearance of a memory card device ofan embodiment according to this invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B are block diagrams showing an example of the configurationof the main part of the memory card device of the embodiment accordingto this invention.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining wireless communication function of thememory card device of the embodiment according to this invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining cooperative operation between the videogame apparatus body and the memory card of the embodiment according tothis invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing flow of program data which is down-loaded intothe memory card from the video game apparatus body.

FIG. 11 is a view showing procedure of the down load.

FIG. 12 is a view showing another flow of program data which isdown-loaded into the memory card from the video game apparatus body.

FIG. 13 is a view showing procedure of the down load.

FIG. 14 is a view showing procedure for bringing up dramatis personae orcharacters on the memory card device.

FIG. 15 is a view showing procedure for transferring (up-loading)attribute (attribute data) of dramatis personae or characters that userhas brought up on the memory card device to the body of video gameapparatus from the memory card device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described withreference to the attached drawings. In the following description, avideo game apparatus of the embodiment of this invention will be firstdescribed, and a memory card device of the embodiment of this inventionwill then be described. Finally, by taking, as an example, the casewhere the memory card device of the embodiment of this invention isapplied as auxiliary memory unit of the video game apparatus of theembodiment of this invention, the cooperative operation therebetweenwill now be described.

FIG. 3 shows appearance of video game apparatus as one form of theembodiment of this invention. This video game apparatus 1 serves to readout game program recorded on, e.g., optical disc, etc. to execute it inaccordance with instruction (designation) from user (game player). Inthis case, execution of the game refers to mainly progression of gameand control of display or speech.

A body 2 of the video game apparatus 1 is accommodated withinsubstantially rectangular casing, and is caused to be of configurationcomprising a disc loading portion 3 located at the central portion onwhich optical disc such as CD-ROM, etc. which is recording medium forsupplying application program of video game is loaded, a reset switch 4for arbitrarily resetting the game, a power switch 5, a disc operationswitch 6 for operating loading of the optical disc, and, e.g., two slotportions 7A, 7B. The configurations of the respective portions aresimilar to the configurations of those of the previously describedconventional video game apparatus 11, and the same reference numeralsare respectively attached to common portions.

It is to be noted that the recording medium for supplying applicationprogram is not limited to the optical disc, but cartridge includingsemiconductor memory therewithin may be employed, and applicationprogram may be supplied through communication line.

At the slot portions 7A, 7B, two operation units 17 can be connected andtwo users can carry out waging war game, etc. In addition, memory cardunit which will be described later may be inserted into these slotportions 7A, 7B. It is to be noted that while the structure providedwith slot portions 7A, 7B of two systems is illustrated in FIG. 3, thenumber of systems is not limited to two.

FIG. 4 shows the state of the slot portions 7A, 7B provided at the frontside surface of the body 2 of the video game apparatus 1 of theembodiment according to this invention.

In this embodiment, two steps of slot portions 7A, 7B are respectivelyformed and memory card insertion portions 8A, 8B into which memory cardunits 40A, 40B which will be described later are inserted arerespectively provided at their upper steps and controller connectingportions 12A, 12B to which a connection terminal portion 26 is connectedof the controller 17 are respectively provided at their lower steps.

Insertion holes (slots) of the memory card insertion portions 8A, 8B arecaused to be of structure in which rectangular insertion holes long inlateral direction are formed to increase the degree of rounding ofcomers of both ends at its lower side as compared to corners of bothends of the upper side so that the memory card unit is not inserted intoerroneous direction. In addition, at the memory card insertion portions8A, 8B, there are respectively provided shutters for protectingconnecting terminals for obtaining electrical connection providedtherewithin.

On one hand, the controller connecting portions 12A, 12B are caused tobe of the structure in which corners of both ends of the lower side ofinsertion hole which is rectangular in lateral direction are caused tohave shape in which the degree of rounding is large as compared tocorners of both ends of the upper side so that the connecting terminalportion 26 of the controller 17 is not connected in erroneous direction,and is caused to be of the structure in which respective shapes of theinsertion holes are different from that of the memory card insertionportions 8A, 8B so that memory card is not erroneously inserted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of more practicalconfiguration of the main part of the video game apparatus 1.

This video game apparatus 1 is caused to be of configuration comprisinga control system 150 composed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) 151 andits peripheral equipment, etc., a graphic system 160 composed of apicture processing unit (Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) 162 for carryingout picture describing with respect to the frame buffer 163, etc., asound system 170 composed of Sound Processing Unit (SPU) for generatingmusic or sound effect, etc., an optical disc control unit 180 forcarrying out control of optical disc on which application program isrecorded, a communication control unit 190 for carrying out input/outputof signal from the controller 17 to which instruction (designation) fromuser is inputted and data from memory card units 40A, 40B for storingsetting of game, etc., and a bus 100 to which the respective portionsare connected, etc.

The above-mentioned control system 150 comprises a CPU151, a peripheralequipment control unit 152 for carrying out interruption control orcontrol of Direct Memory Access (DMA) transfer, etc., a main memory(main memory unit) 153 comprised of Random Access Memory (RAM), and aRead Only Memory (ROM) 154 in which program so called operating system,etc. for carrying out management of graphic system 160 and/or soundsystem 170, etc. is stored. It is to be noted that the main memoryreferred to here is adapted to have ability to execute program on itsmemory.

The CPU 151 executes the operating system stored in the ROM154 tothereby control the entirety of this video game apparatus 1, and iscomprised of, e.g., RISC-CPU of 32 bits.

Further, this video game apparatus 1 is adapted so that when power isturned ON, the CPU151 of the control system 150 executes operatingsystem stored in the ROM154 so that the CPU151 carries out control ofthe graphic system 160 and/or sound system 170, etc. Moreover, when theoperating system is executed, the CPU151 carries out initialization ofthe entirety of the video game apparatus 1 such as confirmation ofoperation, etc. thereafter to control the optical disc control unit 180to execute application program of game, etc. recorded on the opticaldisc. By execution of program of game, etc., the CPU151 controls thegraphic system 160 and/or the sound system 170, etc. in accordance withinput from user to control display of picture, and/or generation ofsound effect and music.

Moreover, the above-mentioned graphic system 160 comprises a GeometryTransfer Engine (GTE) 161 for carrying out processing of coordinatetransform, etc., a GPU162 for carrying out picture description inaccordance with describe instruction (indication) from the CPU151, aframe buffer 163 for storing picture described by this GPU162, and apicture decoder 164 for decoding picture data compression-encoded byorthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform, etc.

The GTE161 comprises parallel arithmetic mechanism for executing inparallel, e.g., plural operations and is adapted to have ability tocarry out, at high speed, coordinate transform, light sourcecalculation, and operation of matrix or vector, etc. in accordance withoperation request from the CPU151. In more practical sense, in thisGTE161, in the case of operation for carrying out flat shading to paint,e.g., one triangular polygon by the same color, about 1,500,000coordinate operations of polygons at the maximum for one second can becarried out. Thus, in this video game apparatus, load of the CPU151 isreduced and high speed coordinate operation can be carried out.

Moreover, the GPU162 carries out describe operation of polygon, etc.with respect to frame buffer 163 in accordance with describe instructionfrom the CPU151. This GPU162 can carry out about 360,000 describeoperations of polygons at the maximum for one second.

Further, the frame buffer 163 is comprised of so called dual port RAM,and is adapted to have ability to carry out describe operation from theGPU162 or transfer from the main memory and read-out for display at thesame time. This frame buffer 163 has, e.g., capacity of 1 M bytes, andis dealt as matrix having 1024 pixels in lateral direction and 512pixels in longitudinal direction respectively having 16 bits. Moreover,in this frame buffer 163, there are provided, in addition to the displayarea outputted as video output, a CLUT area in which there is storedColor Look Up Table (CLUT) to which reference is made when GPU162carries out describe operation of polygon, etc. and a texture area inwhich there is stored material (texture) inserted (mapped) into polygon,etc. described by the GPU162 after undergone coordinate conversion atthe time of describe operation. The CLUT area and the texture area areadapted to be dynamically changed in accordance with change of thedisplay area, etc.

In this example, the GPU162 is adapted to have ability to carry out, inaddition to the above-described flat shading, glow shading for carryingout interpolation from color of vertex of polygon to determine colorwithin polygon and texture mapping for attaching (sticking) texturestored in the texture area onto polygon. In the case of carrying outsuch glow shading or texture mapping, the GTE161 can carry out about500,000 coordinate operations of polygons at the maximum for one sec.

Further, the picture decoder 164 decodes picture data of still pictureor moving picture stored in the main memory 153 by control from theCPU151 to store it into the main memory 153.

Moreover, this reproduced picture data is stored into the frame buffer163 through the GPU162 so that it can be used as background of picturedescribed by the above-described GPU162.

The above-mentioned sound system 170 comprises a SPU171 for generatingmusic or sound effect, etc. on the basis of instruction from the CPU151,a sound buffer 172 into which waveform data, etc. is recorded by thisSPU171, and a speaker 173 for outputting music or sound effect, etc.generated by the SPU171.

The above-mentioned SPU171 has ADPCM decoding function for reproducingspeech (sound) data which has been caused to undergo ADPCM (AdaptiveDifferential PCM), e.g., speech data of 16 bits being as differencesignal of 4 bits, a reproducing function for reproducing waveform datastored in the sound buffer 172 to thereby generate sound effect, etc.,and modulation function for modulating waveform data stored in the soundbuffer 172 to reproduce it, etc.

By providing such functions, this sound system 170 can be used as theso-called sampling sound source for generating music or sound effect,etc. on the basis of waveform data recorded in the sound buffer 172 byinstruction from the CPU151.

The above-mentioned optical disc control unit 180 comprises an opticaldisc unit 181 for reproducing program or data, etc. recorded on theoptical disc, a decoder 182 for decoding program or data, etc. recordedin the state where, e.g., Error Correction Codes (ECCs) are added, and abuffer 183 for temporarily storing data from the optical disc unit 181to thereby allow read-out operation of data from the optical disc tohave high speed. A sub CPU184 is connected to the above-mentioneddecoder 182.

Moreover, as speech data recorded on optical disc which is read out bythe optical disc unit 181, there is so called PCM data in which speechsignal has been caused to undergo analog/digital conversion in additionto the above-described ADPCM data.

Speech data recorded in the state where, e.g., difference of digitaldata of 16 bits is represented by 4 bits as ADPCM data is decoded intodigital data of 16 bits by the decoder 182, and is then delivered to theabove-described SPU171, at which processing such as digital/analogconversion, etc. is implemented by the SPU171. The speech data thusprocessed is used for the purpose of driving the speaker 173.

Moreover, speech data recorded as digital data of, e.g., 16 bits as PCMdata is decoded into digital data of 16 bits by the decoder 182, and isthen delivered to the above-described SPU171, at which processing suchas digital/analog conversion, etc. is implemented by the SPU171. Thespeech data thus processed is used for the purpose of driving thespeaker 173.

Further, the communication control unit 190 comprises a communicationcontroller 191 for carrying out control of communication with the CPU151through the bus 100, wherein a controller connecting section 12 to whichcontroller 17 for inputting instruction (designation) from user isconnected, and memory card insertion sections 8A, 8B to which memorycards 40A, 40B are connected as auxiliary memory unit for storing setdata of the game, etc. are provided at the communication controller 191.

The controller 17 connected to the controller connecting section 12 has,e.g., sixteen designation keys for the purpose of inputting designationfrom user to transmit the state of this designation key about 60 timesper sec. to the communication controller 191 by the synchronouscommunication in accordance with designation from the communicationcontroller 191. In addition, the communication controller 191 transmitsstate of designation key of the controller 17 to the CPU151.

Thus, designation (instruction) from user is inputted to the CPU151. Inresponse thereto, the CPU151 carries out processing in accordance withinstruction from user on the basis of game program, etc. being executed.

In this case, between the main memory 153, the GPU162, the picturedecoder 164 and the decoder 182, etc., it is necessary to transfer alarge quantity of picture data at high speed in carrying out read-out ofprogram, display of picture or describe operation, etc. In view of this,in this video game apparatus, there can be carried out so called DMAtransfer to directly carry out transfer of data between the main memory153, the GPU162, the picture decoder 164 and the decoder 182, etc. bycontrol from the peripheral device control unit 152 without interveningCPU151 as described above. Thus, load of the CPU151 by data transfer canbe reduced. As a result, high speed data transfer can be carried out.

Moreover, when it is necessary to store set data, etc. of game beingexecuted, the CPU151 transmits its stored data to communicationcontroller 191, and the communication controller 191 writes data fromthe CPU151 into memory card 40A or memory card 40B inserted into theslot of the memory card insertion portion 8A or the memory cardinsertion portion 8B.

In this example, protective circuit for preventing electric breakage isincluded within the communication controller 191. The above-mentionedmemory cards 40A, 40B are separated from the bus 100, and can beattached/detached in the state where power of the device body is turnedON. Accordingly, in the case where memory capacity of the memory card40A or 40B is insufficient, etc., new memory card can be insertedwithout interrupting the power supply of the device body. For thisreason, new memory card can be inserted in the state where game datarequired to be backed up is not lost thus to write necessary data intothe new memory card.

Moreover, a parallel I/O interface (PIO) 201, and a serial I/O interface(SIO) 202 are interfaces for connecting to other external equipments.

The memory card device of the embodiment of this invention will now bedescribed. In the following description, explanation will be given onthe premise that the memory card 40 of the embodiment according to thisinvention is inserted with respect to the video game apparatus 1 of thepreviously described embodiment according to this invention.

Namely, this memory card device 40 is inserted with respect to thememory card insertion portion 8 provided at the slot portion 7A or 7B ofthe video game apparatus 1, and can be used as peculiar memory cardcorresponding to connected plural operation units 17. For example, inthe case where two users (game players) carry out game, this device hasconventional function to respectively record their own game results,etc. with respect to two memory cards 40A, 40B.

FIGS. 6A to C show appearance of memory card unit 40 as one embodimentof this invention. The upper surface of the memory card unit 40 is shownin FIG. 6B, the side surface of the insertion side thereof is shown inFIG. 6A, and the surface of the opposite side is shown in FIG. 6C.

As stated above, the memory card unit 40 of the embodiment of thisinvention is different in appearance from the conventional memory cardin that it includes a button switch 43 for inputting event, a displayscreen 44 of liquid crystal display device (LCD), etc. and a wirelesscommunication window 55 for carrying out wireless communication by,e.g., infrared rays in wireless communication means 48 which will bedescribed later.

In this example, shape and/or dimension W, L, etc. of the connectorportion 54 are similar to those of the conventional memory card 80 usedin the conventional video game device 11.

This memory card device 40 is composed of a housing 51 composed of anupper shell 51 a and a lower shell 51 b formed so that it issubstantially square, and a base (substrate) 56 on which memory element,etc. is mounted within this housing 51. The housing 51 is adapted to beinserted into slot portions 7A, 7B of the body of the video game unit 1,and a connector portion 54 in which a rectangular window is formed isprovided at the side surface of its end. Terminals 57 for power andsignal are disposed on the base 56 within the window of this connectorportion 54, and are faced thereto. In addition, at the side surfaceopposite to the side of the connector portion 54 of the housing 51,there is provided a wireless communication window 55 for carrying outthe above-described wireless communication.

At the upper surface of the housing 51, there is provided a directionindication mark 59 indicating direction in which this memory card unit40 is inserted into slot portions 7A, 7B of the body of the video gameunit 1. User can discriminate, with ease, its direction and surface/backin insertion into the game apparatus body 2 by this mark 59. It is to benoted that the mark 59 is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG.6B, and may has a shape which can be utilized as stop of slipping off inattaching/detaching the memory card unit 40 with respect to slotportions 7A, 7B of the body of the video game apparatus 1.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration ofthe principal part of the memory card device 40.

Similarly to the previously described conventional memory card 80, thememory card unit 40 comprises a control unit 41 for controlling itsoperation, a connector 42 for connecting to slot of informationequipment, etc., a non-volatile memory 46 serving as element for storingdata.

The control unit 41 is constituted by using, e.g., microcomputer, andincludes therewithin a program memory portion 41 a for storing program.In addition, as non-volatile memory 46, there is used semiconductormemory element in which even if power is turned OFF, recorded state isleft like flash memory. It is to be noted that as the memory card device40 of the embodiment of this invention, because it is caused to be ofconfiguration comprising a battery 49 as described later, there may beused Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) which can carry out input/outputof data at high speed as non-volatile memory 46.

The memory card unit 40 differs from the above in that it comprises, inaddition to the above-mentioned configuration, a button switch(operation (event) switch) 43 for operating program stored therewithin,a display screen 44 of liquid crystal display unit (LCD), etc. fordisplaying various information in accordance with the program, awireless communication section 48 for carrying outtransmission/reception of data by infrared rays between this memory cardunit 40 and other memory card unit, etc., and a battery 49 for supplyingpower to the respective portions.

Moreover, the memory card device 40 includes therewithin small battery49 for supplying power. For this reason, even in the state where it istaken out from the slot portions 7A, 7B of the video game apparatus 1,the memory card device 40 can be operated by itself In this example, thebattery 49 may be chargeable, and there may be employed a configurationsuch that in the state where the memory card device 40 is inserted intothe slot portions 7A, 7B of the body of the video game apparatus 1,power is supplied from the video game apparatus 1.

This memory card device 40 further comprises a clock 45 and a speaker 47for producing sound in accordance with the program. In this example, theabove-mentioned respective portions are all connected to the controlsection 41, and are operative in accordance with control of the controlsection 41.

FIG. 7B shows control item of the control section 41. While conventionalmemory card 80 only comprises body connection interface to informationequipment and memory interface for carrying out input/output of data tothe memory, the memory card device 40 of the embodiment of thisinvention comprises, in addition to the above-mentioned interfaces,display interface, operation input interface, speech (sound) interface,wireless communication interface, clock management and program down loadinterface.

Since the memory card device 40 is adapted so that the control unit(microcomputer) 41 is caused to have interface (driver) for carrying outmanagement of functions supplemented by this invention independently ofbody connection interface and non-volatile memory management which arethe conventional function, compatibility with the conventional functionscan be maintained.

Moreover, since this memory card device 40 is caused to be ofconfiguration comprising button switch 43 for operating program to beexecuted and display screen 44 using Liquid Crystal Display unit (LCD),etc., when game application is caused to be operative, application asportable game apparatus can be made.

In addition, since this memory card device 40 has the function to storeapplication program to be down loaded from the body of the video gameapparatus 1 into program memory section 41 a within the microcomputer41, it is possible to easily change application program or variousdriver software operated on the memory card device 40.

As explained above, the memory card device 40 of the embodiment of thisinvention can control operation independently of the video gameapparatus 1. Accordingly, at the memory card device 40 side, it ispossible to independently prepare data by application stored in theprogram memory section 41 a for storing program independently ofapplication software of the video game apparatus 1 side. Moreover, bycarrying out transmission/reception of this data to and from the videogame apparatus 1, cooperative operation (link) between the memory carddevice 40 and the video game apparatus 1 can be made.

Further, as the result of the fact that the memory card device 40comprises clock 45, time data can be shared with the video gameapparatus 1 side. Namely, not only respective time data are caused to bein correspondence with each other, but also data for controlling, inaccordance with actual time, progression of game that respective sidesindependently execute can be shared.

A more practical example of the cooperative (link) operation between thevideo game apparatus 1 and the memory card device 40 which are describedabove will now be described later.

FIG. 8 shows, in a model form, the state where wireless communication iscarried out between memory card devices 40 of the embodiment of thisinvention. As stated above, the memory card device 40 is adapted tocarry out transmission/reception of data through wireless communicationwindows 55 for carrying out wireless communication by infrared rays,etc. at the wireless communication section 48, thereby making itpossible to carry out transmission/reception of internal data betweenplural memory card devices. In this example, the above-mentionedinternal data is assumed to include, as well, data transferred frominformation equipment side, e.g., video game apparatus, etc. and storedin the storage memory (program memory 41 a, non-volatile memory 46)within the memory card device.

It is to be noted while explanation has been given in theabove-described embodiment in connection with the case where the memorycard device of the embodiment of this invention is used as the auxiliarymemory unit of the video game apparatus, applied device of the memorycard device of the embodiment of this invention is not limited to thevideo game apparatus. For example, it is a matter of course that thisinvention can be applied to retrieval, etc. of various information, etc.

The cooperative operation between the memory card device 40 and thevideo game apparatus 1 of the previously described embodiment of thisinvention will now be described.

As previously described, the memory card device 40 can share game datagenerated by the microcomputer 41 serving as the control unit, time dataobtained at the clock 45 within the memory card and data generated atother memory card obtained through wireless communication unit 48, etc.with the body of the video game apparatus 1.

FIG. 9 shows, in a model form, the state where cooperative operation iscarried out between the video game apparatus 1 and the memory carddevice 40.

Explanation will now be given, as an example of such cooperativeoperation, in connection with the case where optical disc (CD-ROM)serving as recording medium on which program of application software isrecorded is loaded with respect to the body of the video game apparatus1 and program which has been read out therefrom is down-loaded into thememory card device 40 inserted into the slot portion 7A or 7B of thebody of the video game apparatus 1.

Initially, prior to more practical explanation with respect to thecooperative operation, explanation will be given in connection with download of program serving as the premise for carrying out the cooperativeoperation.

FIG. 10 shows flow of data in the case where application program ofvideo game delivered from optical disc (CD-ROM), etc. loaded withrespect to the disc loading portion 3 of the video game apparatus 1 isdirectly transferred (down-loaded) into the program memory portion 41 afor storing program within the microcomputer 41 serving as the controlunit of the memory card device 40 through CPU9 serving as the controlunit of the video game apparatus 1.

FIG. 11 shows procedure of the above-mentioned down load.

At step ST1, application program of video game operated on themicrocomputer within the memory card device 40 is read out as data fromCD-ROM loaded with respect to disc loading portion 3 of the body of thevideo game apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as body). It isto be noted that, as previously described, in general, this applicationprogram is program different from the program operated on the body ofthe video game apparatus 1.

Then, at step ST2, the CPU9 serving as the control section of the bodyissues “Program Down Load Request Command” to the microcomputer 41serving as the control unit of the memory card device 40. Further, theCPU9 carries out polling for receiving “Program Down Load PermissionStatus” from the microcomputer 41. In this case, the polling referred tohere is a method of inquiring presence/absence of service request tocarry out service.

At step ST3, the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 sidereceives “Program Down Load Request Command” from the CPU9 of the body.

Further, at step ST4, when the microcomputer 41 of the memory card sidecompletes the routine being processed so that there results the statewhere program down load can be executed, it sends “Program Down LoadPermission Status” back to the CPU9 of the body.

Then, when the CPU9 of the body receives “Program Down Load PermissionStatus” from the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 side atstep ST5, it transfers (down-loads) program which has been read out fromCD-ROM, etc. at the step ST1 to the program memory section 41 a forstoring program of the memory card device 40 to write it thereinto.Further, the CPU 9 carries out polling for the purpose of receiving“Program Start Permission Status” from the microcomputer 41.

At this time, address of the program memory section 41 a into whichdown-loaded data is written is caused to undergo management by themicrocomputer 41. Moreover, while the case where program down-loadedfrom the body is stored into the program memory section 41 a within themicrocomputer 41 is taken as an example in the above-explanation, suchprogram may be stored into memory element such as SRAM, etc. capable ofcarrying out input/output of data at high speed.

At step ST6, the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 receives,as data, program transferred from the body to write it into the programmemory section 41 a. At this time, it looks that program data isdirectly written into the program memory section 41 a of the memory carddevice 40 from the CPU 9 of the body, In addition, as described above,address of the program memory section 41 a is caused to undergomanagement by the microcomputer 41 as described above.

Then, at step ST7, when the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device40 receives last program data from the body so that there resultsexecutable environment, it sends “Program Start Permission Status” backto the CPU9 of the body.

At step ST8, the CPU9 of the body receives “Program Start PermissionStatus” from the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 to issue“Program Start Command”.

Further, when the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 receives“Program Start Command” from the CPU9 of the body, it operates programfrom a predetermined address determined in advance.

By the procedure described above, application program is directlytransferred (down-loaded), from the body of the video game apparatus 1,into the program memory section 41 a provided within the microcomputer41 of the memory card device 40 inserted with respect to the body.

It is to be noted that the medium for delivering application program isnot limited to the recording medium such as optical disc, etc. aspreviously described, but such application program may be deliveredthrough the communication line. In that case, only step ST1 is differentin the above-mentioned procedure.

Meanwhile, the above-mentioned down load procedure has been described inconnection with the down load procedure in which application program isdirectly down loaded, from the body of the video game apparatus 1, intothe program memory section 41 a within the microcomputer 41 serving asthe control unit of the memory card device 40 inserted with respect tothe body.

On the contrary, there are instances where the CPU9 of the bodydown-loads data of application program into the non-volatile memory 46within the memory card device 40 thereafter to copy that data into theprogram memory section 41 a within the microcomputer 41 to execute it.

FIG. 12 shows flow of data in such a case. Namely, application programof video game delivered from optical disc, etc. loaded with respect tothe disc loading section 3 of the video game apparatus 1 is transferred(down-loaded) into non-volatile memory 46 within the memory card device40 through the CPU9 serving as the control unit of the video gameapparatus 1, and is then copied into the program memory section 41 awithin the microcomputer 41 serving as the control unit so that it isexecuted.

FIG. 13 shows the procedure of the above-mentioned down load.

At step ST11, application program of video game operated on themicrocomputer within the memory card device 40 is read out as data fromCD-ROM loaded with respect to the disc loading section 3 of the body ofthe video game apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as body).

Then, at step ST12, the CPU 9 serving as the control unit of the bodytransfers (down loads) program data which has been read out from theCD-ROM into the non-volatile memory 46 of the memory card device 40.This procedure is similar to the case where back-up of data is carriedout in the conventional video game apparatus 11, etc.

Then, at step ST13, the microcomputer 41 serving as the control sectionof the memory card device 40 receives, as data, application programtransferred from the CPU9 of the body by the procedure similar to theconventional data back-up to write it into the non-volatile memory 46.

Then, at step S14, when the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device40 receives “Program Start Request Command” from the CPU9 of the body,it copies data of designated size into the program memory section 41 awithin the microcomputer 41 from address designated by the command ofthe non-volatile memory 46.

Then, the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 executes programcopied into the program memory section 41 a from its start address.

By the above-mentioned procedure, program of application software istransferred (down loaded), from the body of the video game apparatus 1,as data, through the non-volatile memory 46, into the program memorysection 41 a provided within the microcomputer 41 of the memory carddevice 40 inserted with respect to the body.

It is to be noted that, in general, application program down-loaded fromthe video game apparatus 1 into the memory card device 40 is programdifferent from program operated on the body of the video game apparatus1. It is a matter of course that the down-loaded application program maybe program operated both on the video game apparatus 1 and on the memorycard device 40. In this case, there takes place the restriction that theCPU of the video game apparatus 1 side and the microcomputer of thememory card device 40 side are the same processor.

Explanation will now be given in connection with the cooperative (link)operation in which programs of application software down-loaded by thepreviously described procedure from the body of the video game apparatus1 are independently executed on the memory card device 40 to carry outtransmission/reception of its execution result between the memory carddevice 40 and the video game apparatus 1.

In this example, attribute data of persons or characters who appear onthe so-called role playing game, etc., which is operated on the body ofthe video game apparatus 1, is down-loaded into the memory card device40. In this case, the above-mentioned attribute data is datarepresenting the degree of growth and/or characters, etc.

Then, dramatis personae or characters are brought up on the programexecuted by the microcomputer 41 within the memory card device 40 tothereby change those attributes in a manner independent of programexecuted in the body of the video game apparatus 1.

FIG. 14 shows procedure for bringing up dramatis personae or characterson the memory card device 40.

At step ST31, user initially pushes down button switch 43 of the memorycard device 40, whereby execution of application program is started.

Then, at step ST32, whether or not data input for bringing up dramatispersonae or characters is inputted through button switch 43 is judged.In the case where data is inputted, processing proceeds to step ST33. Inthe case where no data is inputted, processing proceeds to step ST34.

At the step ST33, attribute data is updated (changed) on the basis ofdata inputted from the button switch 43. Further, its updated (changed)attribute data is stored into the non-volatile memory 46.

Moreover, in the case where processing proceeds to the step ST34,whether or not a predetermined time has been passed is judged byutilizing clock included therewithin at the step ST34. In the case wherethe predetermined time has been passed, processing proceeds to stepST35.

At the step ST35, attribute data is updated (changed) on the basis oftime change. Further, its updated (changed) attribute data is storedinto the non-volatile memory 46.

By repeating the above-described operation, it is possible to varyattribute data on the memory card device 40 independently of programexecuted at the body of the video game apparatus.

Such memory card device 40 of the embodiment of this invention isconstituted so that it is operative by itself and is compact andconvenient for portability. For this reason, user (game player) cancarry, at any time, dramatis personae or characters who appear byprogram executed on this memory card device 40 to bring up them.Moreover, user can also transfer (up load) attribute of dramatispersonae or characters brought up at hand to the body of video gameapparatus 1 from the memory card device 40. In this case, it is alsopossible to take therein dramatis personae or characters of whomattributes have been changed into program executed on the body of thevideo game apparatus 1 to operate them.

FIG. 15 shows procedure for transferring (up loading) attribute(attribute data) of dramatis personae or characters that user hasbrought up on the memory card device 40 from the memory card device 40to the body of the video game apparatus 1.

At step ST41, initially, by the instruction that user uses controllerconnected to the body of the video game apparatus 1, execution of upload of attribute data is started.

Then, at step ST42, the CPU9 serving as the control unit of the bodyissues “Program Up Load Request Command” to the microcomputer 41 servingas the control unit of the memory card device 40. Further, the CPU9carries out polling for the purpose of receiving “Program Up LoadPermission Status” from the microcomputer 41.

At step ST43, the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 sidereceives “Program Up Load Request Command” from the CPU9 of the body.

Further, at step ST44, when the microcomputer 41 of the memory carddevice 40 side completes routine being processed so that there resultsthe state where execution of program up load can be made, it sends“Program Up Load Permission Status” back to the CPU9 of the body.

Then, at step ST45, the CPU9 of the body receives “Program Up LoadPermission Status” from the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device40 side, resulting in receiving state of attribute data from the memorycard device 40.

At step ST46, the microcomputer 41 of the memory card device 40 readsout attribute data from the non-volatile memory 46 to transfer (up load)its attribute data to the body of the video game apparatus 1. Further,the CPU9 of the video game apparatus 1 receives attribute data at stepST47 to write it into the main memory 153. At this time, address of themain memory section 41 a into which up-loaded attribute data is writtenis caused to undergo management by the microcomputer 41.

Further, at step ST48, the CPU 9 of the body of the video game apparatus1 receives last attribute data from the memory card device 40 to set anenvironment such that attribute data representing changed dramatispersonae or characters can be utilized in application program executedon the body of the video game apparatus 1 to inform user that currentenvironment is set to that environment.

Further, in the case where it is instructed (indicated) by user toexecute application program at the newly set environment, i.e., by usingup loaded attribute data, the CPU9 of the video game apparatus 1executes its application program at step ST49.

By the above-mentioned procedure, it is possible to execute, on thevideo game apparatus, application program reflecting attribute data ofdramatis personae or characters independently changed on the memory carddevice 40.

It is to be noted while such a procedure is taken at step ST46 in theabove-described flowchart to allow the microcomputer of the memory carddevice 40 to transfer attribute data of the non-volatile memory 46 tothe video game apparatus 1 to thereby realize up load of attribute data,the CPU9 of the video game apparatus 1 may read out attribute data ofthe non-volatile memory 46 of the memory card device 40 to therebyrealize up load of attribute data.

As explained above, such an approach is employed in both the body of thevideo game apparatus 1 and the memory card device 40 to share attributedata of dramatis personae, etc. and to change each other respectiveattribute data, thereby making it possible to constitute video gamewhich can carry out cooperative operation.

Namely, in accordance with this invention, in the memory card devicecomprising memory for storing data and interface for connecting toinformation equipment and functioning as auxiliary memory unit ofconnected information equipment, the device comprising program storagememory for storing program, control unit for controlling execution ofprogram, display unit for displaying information in accordance withprogram to be executed, operation input unit for operating program, andpower supply unit for supplying power utilized for the purpose ofexecuting program, thereby making it possible to provide memory carddevice which can not only store data but also down-load program, and toindependently execute down-loaded program, and to carry out cooperativeoperation while carrying out transmission/reception of its executionresult between the memory card device and other information equipment.

Moreover, in accordance with this invention, there is provided videogame apparatus having a function to store game data obtained byexecuting game into the auxiliary memory unit, the apparatus comprisingprogram providing unit for delivering application program, communicationcontrol unit connected to main bus to which central processing unit ofthe video game apparatus body is connected, and slot connected to themain bus through the communication control unit and adapted so that theauxiliary memory unit is detachably connected, wherein since the centralprocessing unit has a control function to down-load application programfrom the program providing unit into the auxiliary memory unit throughthe communication control unit, the auxiliary memory unit is caused toindependently execute application program to have ability to carry outcooperative operation to take thereinto its execution result toconstitute game, etc.

Further, in accordance with this invention, there can be provided videogame apparatus having a function to store game data obtained byexecuting game into auxiliary memory unit, the apparatus comprisingprogram providing unit for delivering application program, communicationcontrol unit connected to main bus to which central processing unit ofthe video game apparatus body is connected, and common slot connected tothe main bus through the communication control unit and adapted so thatthe auxiliary memory unit and the memory card unit are detachablyconnected, wherein the auxiliary memory unit has non-volatile memory forstoring game data obtained by executing game by the video game apparatusbody, and since the memory card device includes program memory forstoring down-loaded application program, and control unit for executingdown-loaded application program independently of video game, storage ofdata to the auxiliary memory unit and down load of program with respectto the memory card device can be carried out through the common slot.

Further, in accordance with this invention, there can be provided memorycard device having interface which can be connected to informationequipment, the apparatus including program storage memory for storingprogram, control unit for controlling execution of program, display unitfor displaying information in accordance with program to be executed,operation input unit for operating program, and power supply unit forsupplying power utilized for executing program, wherein program isdown-loaded into the program memory through interface from informationequipment connected thereto, and since program down-loaded into theauxiliary memory unit and program executed at the information equipmentbody are application programs different from each other, program can bedown-loaded, and program can be executed independently of thedown-loaded program and cooperative operation can be carried out whilecarrying out transmission/reception of its execution result between thememory card device and other information equipment.

Further, in accordance with this invention, there can be provided memorycard device having a function such that attribute data utilized at thecontrol unit under program is down-loaded into the program memorythrough interface from connected information equipment to vary attributedata in accordance with input from the operation input unit, therebymaking it possible to not only simply store data, but also independentlyexecute application.

Further, in accordance with this invention, changed attribute data isup-loaded into information equipment, thereby making it possible tocarry out cooperative operation while carrying outtransmission/reception of execution result between the device and otherinformation equipment.

Further, in accordance with this invention, there can be provided memorycard device in which since program down-loaded into the auxiliary memoryunit and program executed at information equipment are caused to beapplication programs different from each other, application can beindependently executed.

In addition, in accordance with this invention, in providing medium forproviding application program with respect to video game unit, at leasttwo different application programs are recorded with respect to theproviding medium, wherein one of the at least two different applicationprograms is application program executed at the video game apparatus andthe other one is application program executed at the memory card deviceconnected to the video game apparatus, whereby program can be alsodown-loaded, and down-loaded program can be independently executed andcooperative operation can be carried out while carrying outtransmission/reception of its execution result between the device andother information equipment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory card device having an interfaceconnectable to a video game apparatus, the device comprising: a firstmemory for storing data transferred from the video game apparatus asresultant data obtained through execution of a first program in thevideo game apparatus; a second memory for storing a second program; acontrol unit for controlling execution of the second program; a displayunit for displaying information in accordance with the second program;an operation input unit for operating the second program; and a powersupply unit for supplying power utilized for executing the secondprogram, wherein the second program is down-loaded from the video gameapparatus into the second memory through the interface connected betweenthe second memory and the video game apparatus, and the second programdown-loaded into the second memory and the first program executed at thevideo game apparatus are programs different from each other, and whereinthe control unit executes the second program down-loaded into the secondmemory, and wherein attribute data utilized at the control unit underthe second program is down-loaded into the second memory through theinterface from the video game apparatus along with the second program,and the control unit has a function to vary the attribute data inaccordance with input from the operation input unit.
 2. A memory carddevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein changed attribute data isup-loaded into the video game apparatus.
 3. A memory card devicefunctioning as an auxiliary memory unit of a video game apparatus,comprising: a memory for storing data; an interface connected to thevideo game apparatus; a program storage memory for storing a program; acontrol unit that executes the program; a display unit for displayinginformation in accordance with the executed program; an operation inputunit for operating the program; and a power supply unit for supplyingpower utilized for executing the program; wherein the program isdown-loaded from the video game apparatus into the program storagememory through the interface connected between the program storagememory and the video game apparatus; wherein attribute data utilized inthe control unit under the program is down-loaded into the programstorage memory through the interface from the video game apparatus, andthe control unit has a function to vary the attribute data in accordancewith input from the operation input unit.
 4. A memory card device as setforth in claim 3, wherein changed attribute data is up-loaded into thevideo game apparatus.
 5. A memory card device having an interfaceconnectable to a video game apparatus, the device comprising: a programstorage memory for storing a program; a control unit that executes theprogram; a display unit for displaying information in accordance withthe program; an operation input unit for operating the program; and apower supply unit for supplying power utilized for executing theprogram, wherein the program is down-loaded from the video gameapparatus into the program storage memory through the interfaceconnected between the program storage memory and the video gameapparatus and the program down-loaded into the program storage memoryand a game program executed at the video game apparatus are differentfrom each other, and wherein attribute data utilized at the control unitunder the program is down-loaded into the program storage memory throughthe interface from the video game apparatus along with the program, andthe control unit has a function to vary the attribute data in accordancewith input from the operation input unit.
 6. A memory card device as setforth in claim 5, wherein changed attribute data is up-loaded into thevideo game apparatus.